Lifestyle Change: Values and Volition

Lead Research Organisation: Swansea University
Department Name: School of Human Sciences

Abstract

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
 
Description Study 1 showed that health values function as truisms. In other words, although people think heath is important, they tend not to have thought about why it is important. This was the case regardless of the participant's age, gender, BMI, education level, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, diet or dieting status. (See Output F.)

Study 2 showed that, in line with predictions, participants took longer to think of a belief associated with the value of 'physical fitness' than a feeling or behaviour, suggesting that participants may lack cognitive support for this health value. (See Output I.)

Study 3 showed a significant effect of the combined experimental conditions on several of the immediately assessed health-related behaviours, though these effects failed to reach significance when the individual strategies were contrasted with the control group. There were no effects on health intentions and limited evidence for effects on health-related behaviours assessed two weeks later. Self-efficacy and intentions did not moderate any effects, though individuals with a higher need for affect were more influenced by the emotion-based tasks (thinking about desires and concerns). (See Output C.)

Due to the inconclusive nature of some of the Study 3 results we conducted a series of additional studies to further explore the effects of analysing reasons for health values on health-related behaviours. These showed (a) no effect of the reasons analysis on student's choice of healthy versus unhealthy snacks, but (b) a significant effect of the reasons analysis on number of chocolates consumed over a 7-day period amongst students who were trying to reduce their chocolate intake, and (c) a significant effect of the reasons analysis on weight loss over a 7-day period amongst dieters. Consistent with Study 3, the reasons analysis in (b) and (c) had no impact on intentions or motivation. (See Output O.)

Study 4 showed that the HealthValues Programme significantly increased fruit and vegetable consumption over a 6-month period. These effects appeared to be primarily driven by strategies employed in the motivational phase and were not mediated by intentions, self-efficacy or automaticity, nor moderated by environmental changes. Both the intervention group and the monitoring (control) group showed significant reductions in intake of saturated fat and added sugar over the 6-month period as well as significant reductions in BMI and WHR. There were no effects on physical activity, alcohol consumption or HRV. Qualitative data collected at the end of the study illustrated diverse responses to the programme from participants and provided useful suggestions for improvement. (See Outputs N and Q.)
Exploitation Route Simply asking individuals to think about the reasons why their health is important to them, is an easy strategy that could be applied across a wide range of healthcare settings in order to help support health-related behaviour change.

Additionally, the internet-based healthy eating programme that we developed as part of the project is available for use as it stands, though we are keen to conduct further development and evaluation in order to enhance its effects. Given organisations' increasing emphasis on employee health and wellbeing, we believe that tailoring the programme for use in this type of setting might be the best way of maximising impact.
Sectors Healthcare,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism
 
Description C. Thinking about health values: Can this help us eat more healthily? May 2012 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Presentation to Bristol University Food Research Group

Section not completed
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2012
 
Description E. Thinking about health values: Can this help us eat more healthily? Nov, 2012 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Presentation at City University, London Health Services Seminar Series

Section not completed
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2012
 
Description G. Health (too) is a truistic value: The effects of thinking about health on exercise and diet, Jan 2013 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Poster presented at The 14th Annual Meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology (New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, January 17-19, 2013).

Section not completed
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
 
Description H. Thinking about health values: Can this help us eat more healthily? March 2013 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Lecture introducing first year psychology undergraduate students to research at City University London

The lecture stimulated interest in the research
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
 
Description L. How to change behaviour. A whistle-stop tour of useful approaches, April 2013 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited presentation at The 3rd Occupational Voice Symposium

Participants commented that they found the presentation useful.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
 
Description U. HealthValues FAQ for organisations 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Information document sent to organisations who might be interested in the HealthValues programme

Section not completed
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
 
Description V. Lay summary 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Lay summary of findings for individuals who took part in the evaluation of the HealthValues Healthy Eating Programme.

Section not completed
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013